There’s something truly delightful about a dish that combines freshness, creaminess, and a burst of flavors in every bite. This Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe brings all those elements together effortlessly, making it an ideal choice for a quick lunch or a light dinner that feels satisfying and special. With tender chicken, crisp cucumbers, tangy feta, and a luscious herb-infused yogurt dressing, it’s a refreshing dish that never gets old. Whether you’re a fan of Mediterranean cuisine or just looking for a vibrant salad to brighten your meal rotation, this recipe is a winner you’ll want on repeat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe is how uncomplicated yet flavorful the ingredients are. Each one plays a crucial role in building layers of taste, texture, and color, resulting in a perfectly balanced salad that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.
- Cooked chicken breast (2 cups, shredded or diced): The protein powerhouse that forms the hearty base of the salad.
- Roasted red peppers (1 cup, chopped): Adds a sweet smokiness and vibrant red hue.
- Black olives (½ cup, sliced): Brings a briny bite essential to Mediterranean flavor profiles.
- Feta cheese (½ cup, crumbled): Offers a creamy, salty finish that ties everything together.
- Cucumbers (1 cup, diced): Imparts crunch and a cooling freshness.
- Red onion (¼ cup, diced): Delivers a mild sharpness and lovely color contrast.
- Greek yogurt (½ cup): Forms the healthy, creamy dressing base packed with tang.
- Light mayonnaise (2 tablespoons): Adds silkiness without heaviness.
- Fresh dill (1 tablespoon, chopped): Infuses bright, citrusy herbal notes.
- Fresh parsley (1 tablespoon, chopped): Compliments dill with its fresh, peppery touch.
- Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Provides zesty brightness to enliven the dressing.
- Garlic powder (½ teaspoon): Deepens flavor with subtle savory warmth.
- Onion powder (½ teaspoon): Enhances the dressing’s aromatic complexity.
- Celery seed (¼ teaspoon): Adds a hint of earthiness and subtle crunch.
- Salt and pepper (to taste): Essential to balance and elevate all flavors.
How to Make Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe
Step 1: Make the Dressing
Begin by whisking together the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, lemon juice, fresh dill, fresh parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and celery seed in a small bowl. Season it generously with salt and pepper. This creamy dressing is the heart of the salad, marrying tangy, herby, and savory notes that bring out the best in every ingredient.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Grab a large bowl and add your cooked chicken breast, either shredded or diced. Using cooked chicken saves time and makes this salad an ideal go-to when you want something delicious without hassle. The chicken is where all the protein magic starts.
Step 3: Add the Veggies
Next, toss in the chopped cucumbers, diced red onion, roasted red peppers, and sliced black olives. These vibrant vegetables add the essential crunch, color, and bursts of flavor that make this salad so refreshing. It’s the perfect balance between juicy, crisp, and savory.
Step 4: Combine
Pour the dressing over the chicken and vegetables, and give everything a good toss to ensure even coating. The creamy dressing clings to each ingredient, elevating every bite with its luscious texture and bright herbal notes. This step transforms simple ingredients into a delightful harmony of flavors.
Step 5: Serve
Finally, scatter crumbled feta cheese over the top for a salty, creamy finish. This salad tastes amazing chilled or at room temperature, making it versatile for any season or occasion.
How to Serve Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle some extra fresh herbs like parsley or dill on top to enhance the salad’s fresh aroma and appearance. A few whole olives or a lemon wedge on the side can also brighten the presentation and add interactive flavor options.
Side Dishes
This Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe pairs wonderfully with warm pita bread, crusty baguettes, or crispy pita chips for added texture. For a more substantial meal, serve alongside quinoa, couscous, or a light soup to round things out beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve it inside hollowed-out tomatoes or bell peppers for a colorful, edible bowl. Alternatively, pile it over mixed greens for a hearty Mediterranean-inspired salad plate that’s both eye-catching and satisfying.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This salad keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors meld over time, making it even more delicious on day two. Just give it a gentle stir before serving to recombine the dressing.
Freezing
Because it contains fresh vegetables and yogurt-based dressing, freezing is not recommended for this Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe. The texture of the vegetables and dressing will change and become less appetizing after thawing.
Reheating
Since this salad is best served chilled or at room temperature, reheating is unnecessary. If you prefer it a bit warmer, remove from the fridge ahead of time and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before enjoying.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this salad?
Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a convenient and flavorful shortcut that works perfectly for this Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe.
Is the dressing very tangy because of the Greek yogurt?
The Greek yogurt does add a tangy note, but the mayonnaise and herbs balance it out, creating a creamy and mild dressing that’s refreshingly flavorful without being overpowering.
Can I substitute feta cheese with another cheese?
Feta is traditional and adds a salty punch, but you can swap it for crumbled goat cheese or even a mild mozzarella if you prefer a softer flavor.
How can I make this salad vegan?
To veganize this Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe, replace the chicken with chickpeas or tofu, and use vegan yogurt and mayonnaise alternatives in the dressing.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! It stores well and tastes great after a day or two in the fridge, making it an excellent choice for meal prepping lunches or light dinners.
Final Thoughts
This Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe has become one of my absolute favorite quick meals because it combines simplicity with bold, fresh flavors effortlessly. It’s the kind of dish you can rely on to impress family or guests without spending hours in the kitchen. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own go-to salad that brings Mediterranean sunshine to your table anytime!
Print
Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A quick and refreshing Mediterranean Chicken Salad featuring tender cooked chicken breast, vibrant roasted red peppers, crisp cucumbers, black olives, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt-based dressing infused with fresh herbs and subtle spices. Perfect as a light lunch or a flavorful side dish ready in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or diced)
- 1 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup cucumbers, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon celery seed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, lemon juice, fresh dill, fresh parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and celery seed. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste, stirring thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the shredded or diced cooked chicken breast into a large mixing bowl as the base of the salad.
- Add the Veggies: Add the chopped cucumbers, diced red onions, roasted red peppers, and sliced black olives to the bowl with the chicken. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Combine: Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together carefully to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing for a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Serve: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top of the salad. Serve the Mediterranean Chicken Salad chilled or at room temperature for the freshest taste and texture.
Notes
- Use leftover roasted or grilled chicken breast for convenience and flavor.
- Roasted red peppers can be substituted with jarred roasted peppers for ease.
- Adjust the amount of herbs in the dressing to suit your preference for freshness and intensity.
- This salad can be served as a light main dish, side salad, or stuffed into pita bread for a Mediterranean wrap.
- Chilling the salad for 30 minutes before serving enhances the flavors and texture.
